A young prospect in Florian Richard will make his way from the Club Challenge to EuroNASCAR 2 in the 2024 season. Finishing second in the 2023 regularity challenge as part of Speedhouse’s strong development program in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series, the Bordeaux native got used to EuroNASCAR’s 400-horsepower V8 vehicle without any electronic aids in a friendly but also exciting environment. The 22-year-old is now ready to step up and join the EuroNASCAR 2 grid to make his official NASCAR debut in a competitive championship with Lucas Lasserre’s Speedhouse team.
Richard will take the wheel of the #33 Ford Mustang and compete not only for the overall championship, but also for the Rookie Trophy. “He’s going to continue his two-year program with Speedhouse Racing,” said team owner Lucas Lasserre, himself a contender for the EuroNASCAR PRO title in 2023. “He’s ready to take the step into the EuroNASCAR 2 championship.” Richard, who is involved in his family business in France, wants to keep the momentum he gained with a Club Challenge win at Oschersleben and progress during the 2024 season to be able to attack in the playoffs.
Lasserre praises Richard’s relationship with mechanics and team members, resulting in good feedback for the organization to set up the car. Speedhouse is preparing for the 2024 season opener at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain, on April 13-14 and wants to “respect the plan” that Lasserre has created with all his racing experience for the youngster from Bordeaux. “I would like to thank the team and Lucas for their great work with Speedhouse,” said Richard. “I am happy to work with a professional team with a great spirit. We will be ready for the EuroNASCAR 2 championship in Valencia and I want to maximize my results every race weekend.”
Lasserre has been involved in the championship since its inception in 2009 and was also part of the grid when NASCAR sanctioned the series for the first time in 2012. Since then, the Frenchman has not only been a regular contender for the championship, but also launched his own team, Speedhouse, in 2019. The French organization has been developing young drivers from around the world to succeed in Europe’s official NASCAR championship, with Richard becoming the next talent that Lasserre is supporting to become a European NASCAR champion. A second place finish in the 2023 Club Challenge is a strong foundation for Richard and his 2024 rookie season.
All 2024 races will be broadcast on EuroNASCAR’s YouTube channel and on several television channels around the world. The season will consist of seven race weekends for both divisions – EuroNASCAR PRO and EuroNASCAR 2. The series will kick off the season in Spain and then travel to Italy, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Germany and Belgium. The last two events are the double-point playoffs. At Raceway Venray, EuroNASCAR will put oval racing back on the schedule with exciting short track action right on the Dutch-German border.
NWES PR
